Adele has three nominations for this year's Q Awards, to be awarded on 24 October. Photograph: Tom Dymond/Rex Features

Adele, Jessie J and Arctic Monkeys head the nominations for the Q Awards, with three each. Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Mercury prize-winner PJ Harvey are among the names who are in the running for two prizes, as the on shortlists are announced on Thursday.

Adele, who has sold a colossal 3m copies of her 21 album, is up for best female artist, against Laura Marling, Beyoncé, Jessie J and PJ Harvey. She has two nominations in the best track category for her singles Rolling In The Deep and Someone Like You.

Competing for the magazine's prized "best act in the world today" award are Muse, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Arcade Fire and U2. Winners will be named on 24 October at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel in London.